Over the past two years, Pope’s Place in Centralia has been transforming its administrative offices into a pediatric respite facility to meet the growing needs of parents with children who have medical complications.
The transformation will be celebrated at 4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 16, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The public is invited to join the board and staff for a blessing, dedication, ribbon-cutting and open house at Pope’s Place, located at 230 Washington Way in Centralia.
Pope’s Place was established in 1995 by Dr. Isaac Pope, a pediatrician from Chehalis who recognized the challenges parents face while caring for children with special medical needs.
“These children often require a level of care that leaves little time for parents to take care of themselves,” the Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce, which is hosting the ceremony, stated in a news release. “Understanding the difficult journey these parents are on inspired Dr. Pope to gather resources and community leaders to create a space where medically fragile children could safely stay, giving parents much-needed respite care. Pope’s Place offers residential, transitional and respite care for medically fragile individuals or people with special needs. The opening of the new pediatric respite facility continues the expansion of their services.”
“One percent of children require complex medical care,” Pope’s Place Executive Director Angela Dickson said.
She added that when people ask what they do, she replies, "We serve the precious 1%."
Dickson noted that there are already 40 families on the waitlist for the new facility. Once licensing is finalized, the new facility will house up to eight children, from infants to 18-year-olds.
Respite care is for people needing temporary services, lasting up to 30 days. Pope’s Place now operates two pediatric facilities and one for young adults. In addition, it offers physical therapy and a family support center.
To learn more about Pope’s Place, visit popesplace.org or call 360-736-9178.
